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Advice with Brevis Shellies needed

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Hey all I want to know if Brevis Shell Dwellers are a good fit for me and what I need to get them.

Can they fit with a Blue Ram? I have a Blue Ram who kinda just sits in a fake log I have and chills there all day. I want fish that won't bother her/him and will still be cool fish. The tank is small (about 15 gallons, might be 20 but lets just say 15).

So if I can put a pair of shell dwellers in my tank, what additional things do they need? I know shells, what but what kind of shells? And where can I get them (sorry if that sounds dumb lol).

Do they eat normal fish flakes/sinking shrimp pellets, or do they get something else?

The only thing I know about shellies is that you do not mix them with other fish. they are fiesty and mean little beggars and your ram would not be safe with them. If you want shellies, I'd suggest you google everything you can find about them, set up a tank just for them and rehome the ram.
Good luck

Hey all I want to know if Brevis Shell Dwellers are a good fit for me and what I need to get them.

Can they fit with a Blue Ram? I have a Blue Ram who kinda just sits in a fake log I have and chills there all day. I want fish that won't bother her/him and will still be cool fish. The tank is small (about 15 gallons, might be 20 but lets just say 15).

NO! Rams like their water soft, neutral at most. Shellies want it hard. They also get rather territorial when breeding which could be another issue.

So if I can put a pair of shell dwellers in my tank, what additional things do they need? I know shells, what but what kind of shells? And where can I get them (sorry if that sounds dumb lol).

Do they eat normal fish flakes/sinking shrimp pellets, or do they get something else?

Thanks!
-ice

Shellies will do well with escargot shells. They're not very picky feeders.

okay cool! I didn't think I could but I then I read they are rather peaceful and only dominate a small part of the tank. Africans are just very cool fish and I would like to have a nice set-up for them.

no - the shellies need a colony of at least 10 with 2x as many shells and are generally kept with a species only tank. There are a few exceptions to that rule but they most certainly would kill the blue ram in a heart beat.

A skilled aquarist could do a M+F pair of this species in a 10g. A colony would be easier

Originally Posted by icefreeze57

okay cool! I didn't think I could but I then I read they are rather peaceful and only dominate a small part of the tank. Africans are just very cool fish and I would like to have a nice set-up for them.

If you ignore water hardness you wouldn't have them for long. That really is important with these! Their territoriums are small but fiercly defended.

A skilled aquarist could do a M+F pair of this species in a 10g. A colony would be easier

I take issue with posting info like this when the OP was asking the question posed. A skilled aquarist could do a lot of things but we also promote the best thing for fish right? Well these fish are colonial in nature so just like schooling fish, they should be in groups.

As someone who actually keeps Brevis. The best shells you can get for them are large snail shells. The more to choose from the better. You should be able to get them on Ebay / Amazon. You need a Ph of at least 7.6 if not 8.0. So no your Ram will not do very well in a tank with a high Ph. You would be better off with 1 - 2 males to a group of females (5 for 1 male 10 for 2 or more depending on size of tank ) But as Brevis live mainly on the lower 1/2 of the tank. The tank will look pretty empty. So a smaller tank is better to keep these fish in.